LOCAL GP surgeries are working with NHS 111 and local hospitals to provide more advice and treatment to patients with COVID-19 symptoms and members of their household who are self-isolating.
The support, which includes telephone, video and face-to-face assessments, will be provided to help these patients with a range of health issues and concerns.
Advice for patients with COVID-19 symptoms
Patients with COVID-19 symptoms are still encouraged to contact NHS 111 online in the first instance with any health concerns, unless it is a life-threatening emergency, then they should dial 999.
Patients with possible COVID-19 who are struggling to cope with their symptoms, should use the NHS 111 online Coronavirus service – https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19.
Patients with COVID-19 symptoms but have another health concern, should contact NHS 111 online at https://111.nhs.uk/ or via phone.
NHS 111 may then refer them to their local GP Practice for assessment via phone or video call. If clinically appropriate, a further appointment will be booked at one of the dedicated face-to-face assessment sites which have been set up at a small number of local surgeries in Halton and Warrington. As a result, patients may need to go to a different surgery than normal for an assessment with a GP. The sites will not offer testing for COVID-19 and are not public testing sites. To ensure the safety of patients and staff, only patients with the complaint and a booked appointment will be allowed access. Patients will only be allowed to enter one at a time, they will be asked to wait in a car if possible and only enter when they are contacted by mobile phone.
Advice for patients who are self-isolating because they live in a household with someone who has COVID-19 symptoms
Patients who have a health concern but are self-isolating because they live in a household with someone who has COVID-19 symptoms, should contact their surgery directly via phone or by completing an online form on the surgery website (eConsult). It is essential that they make the surgery aware they are living in a household with someone who has COVID-19 symptoms.
Face-to-face appointments for these patients will take place at the dedicated face-to-face assessment sites.
Advice for patients who live in households free from COVID-19 symptoms
Patients who are free from COVID-19 symptoms will be seen separately from anyone who lives in a household that has a possible COVID-19 infection.
As a result of the new arrangements, patients may be asked to attend a different surgery than usual. If patients are affected, they will be advised when they contact their practice.
Patients living in a household without any COVID-19 symptoms should continue to contact their surgery via phone or by completing the online form (eConsult) if they have any health concerns. Please do not go into your surgery without an appointment.
Dr Andrew Davies, Clinical Chief Officer for NHS Halton Clinical Commissioning Group and NHS Warrington Clinical Commissioning Group said:
“In these challenging times, it is vital we continue to support the health needs of all our patients and that includes people who have COVID-19 symptoms and people who may be self-isolating due to a potential COVID-19 infection in their household.
“By following national guidance to set up new face-to-face assessment sites and working with NHS 111, we can safely support patients and health care workers to interact safely and ensure that patients get the advice and treatment they need. This will ensure that for any new or ongoing health concerns practices can safely help to keep people well and out of hospital.”
For the latest national advice on Coronavirus visit www.nhs.uk/coronavirus
